Candid outdoor image of Lieutenant Harry Meeleus. He is wearing his officer's winter service coat with officer's infantry insignia on his lapels and service hat. His father Edward Meemeus is standing with him and is pointing at a sundial on the lawn. Taken in August 1942 after he graduated from OCS and was home on leave.Harry G. T. Meeleus was born in Oshkosh, WI on September 4, 1908, the son of Edward E. and Olga Ziegenhagen Meeleus. He was drafted into the 32nd Division, Wisconsin National Guard in March 1941 and served in Louisiana. He was released to inactive reserves due to his age in July 1941. Harry was then called back to active duty after Pearl Harbor and attended Officer Training School at Fort Benning, GA and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. He returned to Oshkosh on leave and married Helen Hunter on November 21, 1942. He first commanded a company of the 974th Air Base Security Group in North Carolina, composed of African-Americans, but the unit was disbanded. He was then assigned to the 106th Division in Indiana. Prior to service in Europe, 75% of the unit was shipped over as replacements for other units. Harry was then assigned command of the Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 422nd Infantry. They landed in Belgium in November 1944 and were soon sent into the front lines. The Division was over run at the Battle of the Bulge on December 16, 1944 and Harry was captured and sent to a German prisoner of war camp. He was finally liberated on May 2, 1945. He returned to Oshkosh on furlough on June 8, 1945. Following the war he worked for T & J Manufacturing Company. He died in Oshkosh, WI on January 12, 2003.

Object ID

P2001.84.53

Object Name

Print, Photographic

People

Meeleus, Harry G.T.Meeleus, Edward E.

Place

Oshkosh, WI

Print size

2 3/4" x 4 1/2"

Subjects

World War IIUnited States ArmyUnited States ArmyPrisoners of warOfficersFathers & childrenSundials

Title

Lieutenant Harry Meeleus & Father

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